Senate committee approves nuclear security bill
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has approved a bill designed to strengthen security at nuclear power plants. The measure, S. 1746, was introduced last fall in response to the September 11 attacks by Senators Harry Reid (D-NV) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY).
The original legislation would have required a federal security force at all nuclear plants, even though they are owned by private utilities. It would also have required the establishment of an emergency response program that expands the emergency planning zone from 10 to 50 miles. Both of these controversial provisions were dropped in the substitute version that was approved by the committee.
The bill as approved would require a comprehensive review of security at the nation's nuclear power plants, including evaluation of hiring and training standards, facility security plans and emergency response plans. It would require the White House to establish a federal anti-terrorism entity to monitor access to nuclear plants. It would establish a task force led by the NRC to review utilities plant security plans. NRC Commissioner Edward McGaffigan opposes the task force provisions in the bill.
The bill also would establish a new Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response within the NRC to coordinate and consolidate security functions of the agency.
There is no sister legislation pending in the House. Consideration of the bill on the Senate floor has not been scheduled.
