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Nuclear power plants have long been subject to intense security because of their potential for disaster either by accident or design. But even they were not immune to the complacency that had affected other segments of the power infrastructure before September 11. In February, the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission ordered all 104 nuclear power plants in the United States to tighten security measures for the "high-threat environment." Specific actions ordered were not made public, but generally the measures included requirements for increased patrols, additional security forces, installation of more security barriers, enhanced coordination with law enforcement and military authorities and more restrictive access for plant employees. The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), the trade group representing nuclear facilities, said the new security measures "formalize security programs already in place." "We will continue to do everything we can do improve security preparedness at the nations nuclear plants," said Ralph Beedle, the NEIs chief nuclear officer. "We will continue to meet all federal requirements for security and safety and coordinate with state and federal law enforcement, the military, and intelligence officials to assure that there is a fully protective shield around nuclear power facilities."
The United States has an estimated 2.2 million miles of natural gas and oil pipelines. The Senate passed a bill in February requiring pipeline inspections and increasing state oversight of oil and gas pipelines. The U.S. House of Representatives is considering legislation to require pipeline operators to develop terrorism security plans. In terms of the nations energy priorities, infrastructure security ranked low before September 11. When the Vice Presidents report on National Energy Policy was released in May 2001, the subject received cursory treatment on three pages deep into the report. Since September 11 gave new meaning to the term "worst-case scenario," the subject has gotten more attention. Now a large portion of the energy legislation in the Senate addresses energy infrastructure security. The bill directs the Department of Energy to protect against possible attack and chart the way to recovery from such an attackon physical or cyber-based programs related to the generation or transmission of electricity and production or storage of natural gas or oil. The bill also calls for the establishment of an advisory committee on energy infrastructure security to include worker representatives, scientists, law enforcement and industry experts.
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Nuclear
facilities are made of steel and concrete up to four feet thick
and are built to withstand the impact of hurricanes, tornadoes and
floods. The nuclear reactors themselves are contained inside six-inch
steel shells. But critics have questioned whether even those safeguards
would be enough to prevent a meltdown triggered by an aircraft crash.
