ML093450492
| ML093450492 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png |
| Issue date: | 12/10/2009 |
| From: | Collins S Region 1 Administrator |
| To: | Rosenberg S State of MA |
| Barkley R | |
| References | |
| EDATS 2009-0102 | |
| Download: ML093450492 (4) | |
Text
December 10, 2009 The Honorable Stan Rosenberg Commonwealth of Massachusetts State House Room 320 Boston, MA 02133-1053
Dear Mr. Rosenberg:
On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your letter dated November 9, 2009, regarding security at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Vernon, Vermont.
I would like to start by stating that ensuring safety and security at the nations nuclear power plants is the NRCs highest priority. First, I want to clarify that the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station is owned and operated by Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc.. The NRC is the federal agency responsible for protecting the people and the environment from the potential hazards involved with the use of nuclear materials by establishing safety standards and regulations; issuing licenses; and inspecting facilities to ensure compliance with these requirements. Nuclear power plant security plans, which are part of the NRC license, provide for a continuum of increasing engagement of intruders, up to and including the use of lethal force. Regarding this incident, as explained below, we believe that Entergys security force applied the appropriate level of engagement for the potential threat posed by the protestors.
The three open gates that you referenced in your letter are part of a security checkpoint located at the vehicle access to the Vermont Yankee plant. In actuality, there are truly only two access gates to the facility - One closing off the inbound traffic lane and one closing off the outbound traffic lane; a security gatehouse sits in the middle of the roadway. However, on the inbound traffic lane, the gate is in two sections - one section that spans over half the width of the roadway and is driven open and closed by a motor, while the other, shorter section swings closed manually and is normally left closed. The outbound traffic lane gate consists of a single motorized section that spans the entire width of the roadway, which at the time of this incident had to be manually pushed closed due to an electrical problem. The security checkpoint is used to administratively screen personnel that require access to the Vermont Yankee owner controlled area. The owner controlled area is licensee owned property that is patrolled by its security force to detect trespassers; this area typically houses support structures such as warehouses and administrative buildings. The gates to the owner controlled area remain open most of the time to facilitate employee, vendor and visitor access. These gates are not an important part of the defensive security strategy for the facility.
The protestors walked a few feet beyond the two inbound traffic lane gate sections and sat down, posing no threat to the plant. The protestors remained a significant distance from the fenced protected area where access is strictly controlled by security. The protected area is an area encompassed by physical barriers and intrusion detection systems that are continuously patrolled and monitored by security to protect equipment related to the safe operation of the plant. Access to the protected area is strictly controlled by Entergys security force. During this
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incident, security personnel observed the actions of the protestors and determined that they did not pose a threat to the facility. Security personnel appropriately summoned off-site local law enforcement to assist with resolving this trespassing incident.
The NRC routinely inspects power plant security programs and procedures to ensure compliance with our rules and regulations, including the requirements contained in several security orders implemented following the terrorist attacks of September 2001. Compliance with our requirements related to plant protection and access control to the facility is routinely reviewed as part of these inspection activities. The NRC maintains oversight of Vermont Yankee licensed activities through independent inspection. Resident inspectors are assigned to each nuclear power plant (a minimum of two) who live in the area and work in the facility. The day the protest occurred, NRC inspection staff evaluated the impact on plant safety and security.
Again, I want to assure you that the NRC will continue to assure that the Vermont Yankee security program is able to protect the facility in the interest of public health and safety. If you have any additional questions regarding these matters, please contact me at 610-337-5299.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Samuel J. Collins Regional Administrator
ML093450492 SUNSI Review Complete: DBT (Reviewer=s Initials)
DOCUMENT NAME: G:\\ORA\\DTifft\\VY-Rosenberg Doc Rev2 (2).doc After declaring this document AAn Official Agency Record@ it will/will not be released to the Public.
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- RBarkley SCollins DATE 12/03/09 12/04/09 12/07/09 12/07/09 12/10/09
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