ML20209D911
| ML20209D911 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/27/1986 |
| From: | Bernthal F NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Davies T, Okeefe B INTERNATIONAL TASK FORCE ON PREVENTION OF NUCLEAR |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20209D914 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8609090518 | |
| Download: ML20209D911 (2) | |
Text
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o UNITED STATES "4
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g
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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20565 s.,.....,/
CHAIRMAN August 27, 1986 Rear Admiral Thomas Davies, USN (Ret.) and Mr. Bernard O'Keefe, Co-Chairmen International Task Force on Prevention of Nuclear Terrorism 1000 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Suite 704 Washington, D. C.
20036 Gentlemen:
Thank you for your letter of July 17, 1986 transmitting the Report of the International Task Force on Prevention of Nuclear Terrorism.
The report should contribute much to public understanding of nuclear safeguards issues.
The potential for nuclear terrorism and the provision of adequate safeguards against it are critical matters under continuing review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in concert with other federal agencies having nuclear safeguards responsibilities.
Much of the pertinent information being considered by the Commission is classified for reasons of national security.
However, issues being deliberated by the Commission include those emphasized in your letter, such as protection against sabotage cf nuclear power plants, protection of weapons-usable nuclear materials and strengthening of IAEA standards.
Statements in your Task Force report expressing support for laws and regulations requiring screening of nuclear plant employees are particularly pertinent in light of current Commission actions.
As you know, on August 4, 1986, the Commission amended its regulations to provide further assurance that nuclear power plants are protected from deliberate acts by insiders that could impact on the safe operation of the facilities.
The Commission also announced its intention to accept an industry initiative voluntarily committing to jointly-developed NRC/ industry guidelines for authorizing insider access to controlled areas in nuclear power plants.
These commitments will be formalized through amendments to NRC-issued licenses and NRC-approved physical security plans and inspected and enforced by the NRC staff.
Moreover, the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Anti-terrorism Act of 1986, passed by Congress on August 12th, included an amendment to the Atomic Energy Act requiring a criminal history record check for each individual who is permitted unescorted access to a licensed utilization facility or is permitted access to Safeguards Information.
If signed into law, this requirement will also help ensure that only 8609090518 860827 PDR COMMS NRCC CORRESPONDENCE PDR
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_2 reliable and trustworthy persons are permitted unescorted access to critically sensitive areas in licensed nuclear plants -- a point made'.by7the Task Force in its report.
As you noted in your report the Commission amended its regulations on February 25, 1986 to limit the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) in domestically licensed research and test reactors.
This will help minimize the use of weapons-usable nuclear materials in civil programs.
Hopefully, the resulting reduction in use of HEU will encourage similar action by foreign operators of non-power reactors and reduce the amount of HEU in international use.
The Commission is currently reviewing U.S. nuclear safeguards policy with particular emphasis upon design basis threats and comparability of protection for weapons-usable nuclear material.
Your Task Force report and forthcoming supporting studies will provide data to assist the Commission and other agencies currently grappling with these and other safeguards-related issues in the public interest.
If the Commission's current reviews lead to proposed revisions of our safeguards regulations through public rulemaking, we will also welcome comments from the Task Force or its sponsoring organizations during that process.
Sincerely,-77 l
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f Frederick M. Bernthal Acting Chairman i
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