ML20207T434
| ML20207T434 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/13/1987 |
| From: | Zech L NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Leventhal P NUCLEAR CONTROL INSTITUTE |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20207T435 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8703240009 | |
| Download: ML20207T434 (3) | |
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UNITED STATES g$
e y g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION E WASHINGTON, D C. 20555 5
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- gh March 13, 1987 CHAIRMAN Mr. Paul L. Leventhal Presioent The Nuclear Control Institute 1000 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Suite 406 Washington, D.C. 20036
Dear Mr. Leventhal:
Thank you for your February 2, 1987 letter transmitting the oaper you presented to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe regarding the risks of nuclear terrorism.
Many of the matters you covered were discussed in the June 25, 1986 report of the International Task Force on Prevention of Nuclear Terrorism. The Commission provided comments on that document by letter of August 27, 1986 to Rear Admiral Davies, Co-Chairman of the Task Force. We mentioned two activities to provide further assurance that nuclear power plants are adequately protected from deliberate acts by insiders that could impact on the safe operation of the facilities. The first of these is an industry initiative committing to jointly-developed NRC/ industry guidelines for authorizing insider access to controlled areas in nuclear power plants. When formalized through amendments to li,censee security plans, these guidelines will provide for direct NRC oversight of the industry program. The second is the amendment to the Atomic Energy Act requiring a criminal history check for each individual granted unescorted access to a nuclear This was signed power plant or access to Safeguards Information.
into law on August 27, 1986. Implementing regulations have been adopted by the NRC and are scheduled to be effective on April 1, 1987.
Your paper also discussed the BWR Mark I containment and emergency preparedness requirements for power r* : tors. The Commission believes that every item you mentioned that falls within the responsibility of the NRC either has been given consideration or is presently under review. These issues are being deliberated in an open forum with participation by the public, industry, special groups and associations, and by federal, state and local government agencies in order to ensure that relevant information However, one item in your paper is found and all interests heard.
8703240009 B70313 PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR t
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requires correction. The Commission has not made any proposal to reduce the size of emergency planning zones. Only one licensee
-- an applicant for the Seabrook plant -- has requested an exemption from the 10 mile emergency planning zone requirement.
That request is currently pending before a Licensing Board in accord with established procedures.
In regard to safeguards matters, national security and the Atomic Energy Act requirements for the protection of Safeguards Information often prevent public discussions of the sub.iects under review. However, the Commission maintains a continuing interaction with other key federal agencies to evaluate the domestic threat environment.
The NRC is committed to ensure that the security programs at licensed activities in the U.S. and at foreign facilities receiving U.S. exports reflect current strategies developed in the United States and worldwide for protection against terrorist actions where appropriate. In response to this commitment the NRC has recently engaged in a number of related activities.
The NRC completed with the Department of Energy (DOE) a comparability review (CNSI) of physical security measures applied to DOE and NRC licensed facilities that possess weapons-usable special nuclear material. The Commission is presently reviewing the report and staff recommendations concerning fuel cycle safeguards.
Members of the NRC staff visited with safeguards exoerts and government officials in four Western European Countries to determine their estimate of the terrorist threat and to obtain information on latest countermeasures.
Members of the NRC and DOE staff visited with physical security experts and government officials in France as part of an ongoing overseas information exchange program to review levels of physical protection accorded to nuclear material.
The NRC received and is reviewing the proposed U.S.-Japanese Agreement for Cooperation, in particular, its physical security provisions, f
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Also, we proposed a revision of the interagency procedures for the review of nuclear exports to reflect the law's new requirements for consultation with the Department of Defense on physical security matters.
The NRC completed its independent report to Congress, as required by the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Anti-terrorism Act of 1986. Among NRC's key findings is a recommendation that an international review of the provisions of INFCIRC/225/ Revision 1 be undertaken to revalidate the adequacy of the physical security standards contained therein.
The Commission always welcomes responsible comments that may provide innovative ways to fulfill our responsibility.
Accordingly, the Commission invites your participation during rulemaking activities associated with the subjects discussed in your paper.
Sincerely, Lu. .
Lando W. Ze , Jr i
l
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