ML20150D821
| ML20150D821 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/23/1988 |
| From: | Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Sununu J NEW HAMPSHIRE, STATE OF |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8803250159 | |
| Download: ML20150D821 (1) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES f n NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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CHAmMAN February 23, 1988 The Honorable John H. Sununu Chairman, National Governors' Association State House Concord, New Hampshire 03301 .
Dear Gcvernor Sununu:
The Commission recently corresponded with U.S. Representative Sam Gajdenson of Connecticut regarding his interest in how the National Guard might respond at nuclear power plants in j the event of serious security threats. i I am enclosing a copy of our letter to Representative Gejdenson for your information. If you have other views, or 1
' additional pleased to views receivetothem.
those expressed in ocr letter, we would be Sincerely, hAVdsbJ. h p,
Lando W. Ze ,J.
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Enclosure:
letter to Rep. Gejdenson i dated Nov. 19, 1987 !k
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- ...* November 19, 1987 CHAIRMAN The Honorable Sam Gejdenson, Chaiman Subconnittee on General Oversight and Investigations
- Committee aa fa+= riae 2nd f amlar Affairs
'Unitec states House of Representatives hshingtc,a, D.C. 20515
Dear Mr. Chainnan:
The ConnissW it aware of your interest in examining the possibility of using the National Guard at nuclear power plants in the event of serious security threats. Mr. Huah L. Thompson, Jr., Director of the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and 50f eguards, has also advised us that you solicited his ideas on possita ways to employ the National Guard as a response element during security events at nuclear facilities. Your interest in -
i this matter is appreciated, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss it l l
with you. l As you know, Nuclitar Regulatory Connission (NRC) licensees that declare an emergency are required, in accordance with local and state emergency plans, to notify local and state authorities. Approved contingency plans l establish that local law enforcement authorities will respond promptly l to security events at nuclear reactor facilities. Past experience and l l
extensive planning between the NRC staff, local officials and utilities lead us to believe that the National Guard is not prepared to respond innediately ,
to security threats at nuclear facilities. Activation would require a 1 decision by State Governors and would take anywhere from several hours to a day or more, depending on such factors as availability of personnel, distances involved, traffic conditions, and other considerations. However, the Guard l may have a role to play as a support element to law enforcement authorities in an extended emergency response.
Our current philosophy for responding to security emergencies considers county, state, or other local law enforcement authorities to be the first line of ismediate off-site response. A Memorandum of Understandino between the NRC and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provides thai; ultimate '
responsibility for law enforcement regsrding security events rests with the FBI. Upon arrival at a site experiencing a security emergency, the FBI has primary ,iurisdiction and assumes responsibility for directing the activities of other law enforcement agencies already on-site and, if 3 deemed necessary, for reauesting assistance from other federal agencies.
Depending on the nature of a specific event, it would be the prerogative of State Governors to use individual resources at their disposal, including the National Guard, in support of the law enfoncement resnonse directed ;-
by the FBI.
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the Cosmission believes that the National Guard is a valuable In susmary,However, the abilities of var b s Guard units and their availa-resource.
bi'lity best serve the contingencies arising from an ex enforcement response.
Sincerely.
N' .
l Lando W. Zec Jr. l l
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UNITED STATES
[,e # g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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CHAIRMAN February 23, 1988 The Honorable John H. Sununu Chairman, National Governors' Association State House Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Dear Governor Sununu:
The Commission recently corresponded with U.S. Representative I Sam Gejdenson of Connecticut regarding his interest in how the National Guard might respond at nuclear power plants in the event of serious security threats.
I am enclosing a copy of our letter to Representative Gejdenson for your infornation. If you have other views, or additional pleased to receiveviews tothem.
those expressed in our letter, we would be l
Sincerely, c% s W. .
l Lando W. Ze ,J .
Enclosure:
Letter to Rep. Gejdenson dated Nov. 19, 1987 l
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- November 19, 1987 l
CHAIRMAN The Honorable Sam Gejdenson, Chaiman Subcosmittee on General Oversight and Investigations f amlar Affairs
- Cosmittee aa fe aria
- 2nd 7nfred states House of Representatives Washington. 0.C. 20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The Cosmission is aware of your interest in examining the possibility of using the National Guard at nuclear power plants in the event of serious security threats. Mr. Huoh (. Thompson, Jr., Director of the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, has also advised us that you solicited his ideas on possible ways to employ the National Guard Your as a response interest in element during security events at nuclear facilities. -
this matter is appreciated, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss it with you.
As you know, Nuclear Regulatory Connission (NRC) licensees that declare an emergency are required, in accordance with local and state Approved emergency contingency plans plans, to notify local and state authorities.
establish that local law enforcement authorities will Past respond promptly experience and to security events at nuclear reactor facilities.
extensive planning between the NRC staff, local officials and utilities lead us to believe that the National Guard is not prepared to respond inmediately to security threats at nuclear facilities. Activation would require a decision by State Governors and would take anywhere from several hours to a day or more, depending on such factors as availability of personnel, However,distances the Guard involved, traffic corditions, and other considerations.
may have a role to play as a support element to law enforcement authorities in an extended emergency response.
Our current philosophy for responding to security emergencies considers county, state, or other local law enforcement authorities to be the first line of immediate off-site response. A Memorandum of Understandino between the NRC and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provides tha't ultimate responsibility for law enforcement regarding security events rests with the FBI. Upon arrival at a site experiencing a security emergency, the FBI has primary .furisdiction and assumes responsibility for directing the activities of other law enforcement agencies already on-site and, if deemed necessary, for recuesting assistance from other federal agencies.
Depending on the nature of a specific event, it would be the prerogative of State Governors to use individual resources at their disposal, including the National Guard, in support of the law enfoncement response directed by the FBI.
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the Comeission believes that the National Guard is a valuable l In susmary,However, resource.
the abilities of various Guard units and their avatta- ,
bility best serve the contingencies arising from an extended emergency and l not those of relatively brief security events that require an ismediate law !
wnforcement response.
Sincerely.
I ke ,
t.ando W. Zec' Jr.
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