NRC Consolidates Security Upgrades for Operating Reactors

July 16, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS

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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) began consolidating existing security-based enhancements for each of the 104 nuclear reactors in the nation.

This action includes requiring the utilities to be prepared to mitigate the effects of large fires and explosions that could result from a terrorist attack, including the impact of a large commercial aircraft.

The site-specific safety evaluation reports are part of an agency effort over the past five years to upgrade plant safety and security, NRC said.

Most of the required measures through these legally binding revisions to plant operating licenses are already in place, and NRC has verified them.

According to NRC, with minor exceptions, all measures will be completed by December 2007. Inspection of these measures will become part of routine inspection at all operating reactors.

The required measures at each plant build on the steps NRC ordered in early 2002 following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The security upgrades from 2002 included instructions to bolster physical security as well as add measures to mitigate the possible effects on spent fuel pools, reactor cores and containment buildings of a large fire or explosion, including those caused by the deliberate or accidental impact of a large commercial aircraft.

Source: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

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NRC Consolidates Security Upgrades for Operating Reactors