Lawmaker says U.S. nuke plant faced terror threat Massachusetts Rep. Ed Markey, a frequent critic of the nuclear agency, said the threat was revealed to him in a May 3 letter from NRC Chairwoman Shirley Ann Jackson.

The letter also addressed the Democrat's concerns about anti-terrorism protection for nuclear facilities.

The NRC did not identify which nuclear plant was targeted for attack or elaborate on the incident.

``We can't release that information because it's classified and came from intelligence sources,'' an agency spokesman told Reuters.

The threat was ``general in nature,'' and the time frame for the threatened attack passed without a problem, the NRC said.

There are currently some 103 operating nuclear power plants in the country.

One of the many questions posed by Markey to the NRC asked if there had been any recent credible threats of terrorism or sabotage against U.S. nuclear plants.

``During recent months, one reported threat was assessed as having low but sufficient credibility to warrant an NRC threat advisory,'' the NRC responded in the letter.

Markey has often complained that the NRC does not do enough to protect nuclear facilities. Last year he objected to the cancellation of the Operational Safeguards Response Evaluation (OSRE) program, which was later reinstated.

``This letter gives no evidence that the NRC followed its own objectives of risk-informed regulation when it temporarily eliminated this counter-terrorism program,'' Markey said in a statement.

``As our bombers attack both Serbia and Iraq, we must be vigilant that our nuclear plants are able to defend themselves and prevent a catastrophic nuclear event,'' he added.

Jackson said the safeguards program was one of many systems in place to protect plants from attack. She also acknowledged that a tight agency budget has forced difficult decisions on safety programs.

Steve Kerekes, a spokesman for the Nuclear Energy Institute, the industry trade group, said every U.S. nuclear plant has safeguards in place against intrusions.

In 1993 a man was able to breach security at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, causing industry-wide safety reviews.

Last year, training drills at 57 U.S. nuclear sites revealed security weaknesses at half of the locations, Markey said. Some 14 of the plants had ``severe'' security breaches in mock attacks, endangering core reactor operations that could prompt radioactive releases.

=================================================

Interesting that this pops up now. Markey is an Administration Lackey.

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), May 21, 1999

Answers

Ray, I don't think I'd agree with that with respect to the nukes. He has been coming down really hard on their Y2K status and generally responsible for much of the local fear-mongering here in Massachusetts since at least the beginning of the year. It's been kind of amusing to me because his press releases have coincided with the calming reports Robert Cook was giving us on how the nukes really work. I think Markey may be responsible to a large degree the level of attention NRC and others are giving the nukes this year. Otherwise, I have been underwhelmed by Markey's record.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), May 21, 1999.

Brooks, I am not familiar with his involvement with y2k but believe he is more than willing to carry a bucket or two of water for the Administration.

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), May 21, 1999.

Jackson said... "a tight agency budget has forced difficult decisions on safety programs." (NRC Chairwoman Shirley Ann Jackson).

There's a comforting thought.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 21, 1999.

I don't care who he's a lackey for, as long as someone is speaking out for nuclear plant safety. The latest school shooter was upset about breakup with girlfriend, and it takes very little to inspire some nut case to want to make a bigger blast.

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), May 22, 1999.

Gilda, here is my point, I DO NOT BELIEVE this Administration will accept ANY blame for y2k. There will be a multitude of diversions, real or imagined, that will take the spotlight off of them. They will slowly build on any or all of these situations.

Taking the fall for y2k is not in the cards for ANY branch of government. Wonder who will eventually be viewed as the FALL GUY? Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), May 22, 1999.

I think all the hype about terrorism is directly related to Y2K. Clintdong and his buddies can blame the whole thing on computer viruses and terrorism. Do you really think that lying jerk would admit the truth??

-- GeeGee (GeeGee@madtown.com), May 22, 1999.