Education --> Nuclear Facts

SECURITY

Commercial nuclear plants are among the most secure industrial facilities in the world. The six nuclear plant sites operated by Nuclear Management Company (NMC) have been at an elevated security level since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, along with other commercial nuclear power plants in the United States.

Nuclear plants must comply with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) security program to ensure defense in depth. The NRC monitors intelligence sources to keep abreast of foreign and domestic events and remains aware of the capabilities of potential adversaries. From this information and other sources, the NRC defines a certain level of threat that power plants must demonstrate they can guard against. 

Since the terrorist attacks, NMC nuclear plants have implemented more than 30 security directives from the NRC. These include: augmented security forces, increased patrols, additional security posts and physical barriers, moving vehicle-checkpoints further away from buildings, greater coordination with law enforcement and more restrictive control of site access. There have been no credible threats against a U.S. nuclear plant since the 9/11 attacks.

Physical structures

Nuclear plants cannot be guaranteed to be impervious to every form of attack that can be imagined, but the reinforced concrete containment structures—coupled with redundant safety and plant shutdown systems—are designed to withstand the impact of hurricanes and airborne objects up to a very substantial force.

• Nuclear reactors are designed with a defense-in-depth safety strategy that requires failure of three specific barriers before a release of radioactivity would occur: fuel rods; the reactor coolant system/pressure vessel which has steel walls about 9 inches thick; and the containment building with concrete 3 to 5 feet thick.

• A 2002 study using computer modeling by internationally recognized experts found the structures that house nuclear reactor fuel – including dry storage containers -- would protect against a release of radiation even if struck by a large commercial jetliner.

• A two-day national security simulation in Washington, D.C., in 2002 concluded nuclear plants “are probably our best defended targets. There is more security around nuclear power plants than anything else we’ve got.”

• A test at Sandia National Labs confirmed a computer analysis of the impact of a plane crashing into a concrete structure like a containment building. An F-4 Phantom jet was destroyed when it hit at 480 miles per hour. The maximum penetration to the concrete wall was 2.4 inches.

Used nuclear fuel

Used nuclear fuel is stored at NMC plants in a spent fuel pool, which cools the fuel and shields radiation. These spent fuel vaults typically are built with four to five feet of concrete on the bottom and sides, and are lined with a layer of steel. 

At NMC’s Prairie Island and Point Beach sites, used nuclear fuel also is stored above ground in dry storage canisters. They are built and tested to withstand extremely severe impacts that include hurricanes, fire, earthquakes, and acts of sabotage without resulting in releases of radioactivity that exceed NRC limits. As required, NMC spent fuel storage facilities have plans to respond to emergencies. 

Emergency plans

Each nuclear plant also is required to have a detailed emergency preparedness plan to respond to events that may impact the plant and the public. Training for response to emergency events is rigorous and ongoing. These exercises are routinely monitored and performance evaluated by the NRC. Information about these emergency plans is provided to communities near our plants, and often is published in local phone books or calendars.

Overview: NRC Security Program 

Physical. The physical requirements focus on actions that terrorists or criminals might take to damage power reactors. 

Detection systems. Electronic detection systems provide an alarm to alert security forces that the plant is being approached or an intrusion attempt is under way.

Delaying tactics. Obstacles around the plant perimeter are designed in layers to create a physical and psychological deterrent.

Mutual assistance. Standing agreements with federal, state and local governments.

Assessment systems. Closed-circuit television systems monitor the perimeter and allow security forces to assess any alarms received.

Access control. Employees must undergo background checks to verify their reliability and trustworthiness before being granted unescorted access to a nuclear plant. 

Reliability of personnel. Fitness-for-duty and access authorization programs aim to establish the trustworthiness and reliability of workers—as well as physical and mental fitness for work. Employees of nuclear power plants are also subject to psychological assessments, behavioral observation, and testing for alcohol and other drugs.