Union of Concerned Scientists Issue Brief: THE NRC’S REVISED SECURITY REGULATIONS

On January 29, 2007, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) voted 5-0 to revise its security regulations to better protect nuclear power plants following the 9/11 tragedy. NRC Chairman Dale Klein’s formal statement about the agency’s ruling began with these two sentences: Nuclear power plants are inherently robust structures that our studies show provide adequate protection in a hypothetical attack by an airplane. The NRC has also taken actions that require nuclear power plant operators to be able to manage large fires or explosions – no matter what caused them. This issue brief examines the Chairman’s two sentences.

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