WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, reacted to the vote by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on new security guidelines for nuclear reactors, which exclude attacks by air and upgraded security requirements for the construction of new reactors.  Markey authored a section in the 2005 Energy Policy Act that required the NRC to write new regulations that were supposed to significantly upgrade the design basis threat security levels to reflect the post-September 11th threat that nuclear facilities now face.

Markey said, “I am disappointed that the Commission has missed this opportunity to provide the public with a real solution to the nuclear reactor security problem.  These new regulations were supposed to significantly enhance our ability to secure nuclear reactors in the post-September 11th era.  It does not do so.  Instead, it reflects an inadequate, industry-influenced approach that sacrifices security in favor of corporate profits.”

Rep. Markey has urged the NRC repeatedly since 9-11 to require:
1.      Reactors to be required to resist an aircraft impact;
2.      Reactor security forces to be prepared for a significant terrorist attack using modern weapons and explosives;
3.      And require new reactor designs to include technologies and design features that would mitigate against terrorist attacks.

“I will continue my efforts to ensure that the nuclear power industry does what it takes to protect against devastating terrorist attacks,” Markey concluded.

For more on Rep. Markey’s work on nuclear security, please go to http://markey.house.gov