ML022060407

G20020432/LTR-02-0491 - Letter to Rep. Robert E. Andrews Re Security at the Salem Generating Station (Constituent Brian Westenberger)

ML022060407
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	08/12/2002
From:	Travers W NRC/EDO
To:	Andrews R US HR (House of Representatives)
References
G20020432, LTR-02-0491, NSIR 02-0170
Download: ML022060407 (2)

Text

August 12, 2002 The Honorable Robert E. Andrews Member, United States House of Representatives 63 North Broad Street Woodbury, NJ 08096

Dear Congressman Andrews:

I am writing this letter in response to the facsimile sent by Fred J. DeAndrea of your office to Dennis Rathbun of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on July 22, 2002. The facsimile forwarded a note from a constituent concerning security at the Salem Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey. The constituent, Mr. Brian Westenberger, asked what the government is doing to protect him and his employer, and he noted that he could see commercial aircraft flying within a close range of the plant. Mr. DeAndreas facsimile requested a general outline of security measures taken at Salem.

All nuclear power plant licensees are required by Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations to establish a security program to protect the licensed facility against radiological sabotage. The security requirements are found principally in Section 73.55 of Title 10, and they include a physical security organization, physical barriers, access requirements, detection aids, communications requirements, a testing and maintenance program, response plans, and periodic training and qualification of the guard forces. Since the terrorist events of September 11, 2001, many steps have been taken by Federal, State, and local governments and by American citizens themselves to raise the level of security for the nations critical infrastructure. With respect to nuclear facilities, the NRC has issued numerous security advisories and Orders to enhance security. The industry has responded by increasing patrols, augmenting security forces and capabilities, adding security posts, installing additional physical barriers, moving vehicle check points to establish greater stand-off distances, enhancing coordination with law enforcement and military authorities, and establishing more restrictive site access control for personnel and packages. The NRC has also maintained regular coordination with other Federal agencies to enhance our communications channels and to ensure prompt response to intelligence information indicating possible threats to nuclear facilities. This coordination has included close contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reduce the opportunity for terrorists to use aircraft to threaten the security of nuclear facilities.

With specific regard to security of commercial aircraft, the NRC supports the steps taken by FAA to improve aircraft security, including enhanced passenger and baggage screening, strengthening of cockpit doors, and the Air Marshal program.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

/RA/

William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations

The Honorable Robert E. Andrews DISTRIBUTION: August 12, 2002 Member, United States EDO R/F (G20020432) EWhitt (G20020432/NSIR 02-0170)

House of Representatives NSIR R/F CPaperiello 63 North Broad Street WKane PNorry Woodbury, NJ 08096 JCraig SBurns/KCyr SCollins HMiller

Dear Congressman Andrews:

I am writing this letter in response to the facsimile sent by Fred J. DeAndrea of your office to Dennis Rathbun of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on July 22, 2002. The facsimile forwarded a note from a constituent concerning security at the Salem Nuclear Generating Station in New Jersey. The constituent, Mr. Brian Westenberger, asked what the government is doing to protect him and his employer, and he noted that he could see commercial aircraft flying within a close range of the plant. Mr. DeAndreas facsimile requested a general outline of security measures taken at Salem.

All nuclear power plant licensees are required by Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations to establish a security program to protect the licensed facility against radiological sabotage. The security requirements are found principally in Section 73.55 of Title 10, and they include a physical security organization, physical barriers, access requirements, detection aids, communications requirements, a testing and maintenance program, response plans, and periodic training and qualification of the guard forces. Since the terrorist events of September 11, 2001, many steps have been taken by Federal, State, and local governments and by American citizens themselves to raise the level of security for the nations critical infrastructure. With respect to nuclear facilities, the NRC has issued numerous security advisories and Orders to enhance security. The industry has responded by increasing patrols, augmenting security forces and capabilities, adding security posts, installing additional physical barriers, moving vehicle check points to establish greater stand-off distances, enhancing coordination with law enforcement and military authorities, and establishing more restrictive site access control for personnel and packages. The NRC has also maintained regular coordination with other Federal agencies to enhance our communications channels and to ensure prompt response to intelligence information indicating possible threats to nuclear facilities. This coordination has included close contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reduce the opportunity for terrorists to use aircraft to threaten the security of nuclear facilities.

With specific regard to security of commercial aircraft, the NRC supports the steps taken by FAA to improve aircraft security, including enhanced passenger and baggage screening, strengthening of cockpit doors, and the Air Marshal program.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

/RA/

William D. Travers Executive Director for Operations ADAMS ACCESSION NO: ML022060394 TEMPLATE USED: EDO-002

Publicly Available 9 Non-Publicly Available 9 Sensitive  : Non-Sensitive

• See previous concurrences OFC PMDA:NSIR C:PMDA:NSIR D:NSIR EDO OCA NAME RPRosano:jc JRDavis RPZimmerman WDTravers DRathbun DATE 7/25/02* 7/26/02* 7/28/02* 08/09/02 08/12/02 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY