US uranium fuel plants told to beef up security
Date: 23-Aug-02
Country: USA
The plants, owned by BWX Technologies Inc. and Nuclear Fuel Services, take enriched uranium and make it into fuel for nuclear reactors.
The NRC said it ordered the two enrichment plants to adopt similar measures already put in place by U.S. nuclear power plants as a precaution after the Sept. 11 attacks.
The agency did not disclose details of its order, but said it included requirements for "increased patrols, augmented security forces and capabilities, additional security posts, installation of additional physical barriers, vehicle checks at greater standoff distances, enhanced coordination with law enforcement and military authorities, and more restricted site access controls."
The NRC in June said it was analyzing what devastation might occur if a fuel-laden commercial airliner crashed into a nuclear power reactor. The agency is also considering whether to order plants to conduct more frequent drills against potential sabotage or terrorist attacks.
Some U.S. lawmakers and activist groups are concerned that a Sept. 11-type attack against a nuclear plant or enrichment plant could release deadly radioactive materials.
Senate Democrats have endorsed a plant to federalize the privately employed security guards at plants, but that approach is opposed by the NRC and U.S. utilities.
Nuclear power plants provide about 20 percent of the nation's electricity.