Breaches show need for nuclear safeguards

[bananas]

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/01/breaches-show-need-nuclear-safeguards

Breaches show need for nuclear safeguards
Posted to: Editorials Opinion
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 15, 2008

AS THE UNITED STATES considers boosting its commitment to nuclear energy, incidents at two nuclear plants - one foreign, one domestic - show the huge dangers of lax security. The issue is especially critical at a time of global terror threats and potential attacks by mercenaries.

With good reason, this country is trying to lessen its dependency on oil from nations that hate us. But many Americans will resist expansion of nuclear power if we can't safeguard the plants.

In early November, a nuclear facility in South Africa was breached by four gunmen who shot an individual and snatched a computer before fleeing, according to published reports. The gunmen ditched the computer taken from the Pelindaba nuclear reactor and research center. Government authorities belatedly announced that a second team of gunmen attacked the site the same night but was turned back.

In Pennsylvania, a security guard at a nuclear plant blew the whistle on fellow armed guards who were regularly taking naps while on duty. His complaints were rebuffed by Exelon, the Peach Bottom plant owner, and Wackenhut, the security guard company. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission initially halted its probe, based on assurances from the plant owner that there was no evidence guards were snoozing on the job.

Then a CBS television affiliate aired Kerry Beal's videotape of armed guards sleeping and slumped on tabletops. That finally sparked action by the NRC and Exelon to do more than a superficial investigation. No one took Beal's complaints seriously until the videotape ran. What other flaws would have continued without video proof? Do more steps need to be taken to ensure security at the nation's 62 commercial nuclear power plants, including the units at Surry and North Anna in Virginia? And is the NRC too cozy with the companies it's supposed to regulate?

This is as much a national security issue as finding alternatives to imported oil.

[texastoast]

1. Considering we have 30,000+ items of missing American nuclear material

nukes continue to be a frightening alternative to oil (that figure from a National Geographic article I read a couple of years ago but can't find).

But that is a little American secret.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/1859560.stm

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=506177&page=1