NRC raises security level at US nuclear plants
Date: 12-Sep-02
Country: USA
Ahead of the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, Attorney General John Ashcroft earlier this week announced a change in the country's color-coded threat level to "orange" to reflect the "high risk of terrorist attacks."
After the alert, the NRC "immediately advised nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities to implement heightened security measures," the agency said in a press release. More details on the security measures were not available.
"The NRC informed its licensees that while there is no credible threat against any of them ... there has been credible intelligence involving U.S. interests and facilities abroad, particularly in Asia," the NRC said.
The NRC said the security measures were based on a prearranged plan, and involved close coordination with local and state authorities.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld also ordered live heat-seeking anti-aircraft missiles deployed around Washington. There was no indication from NRC that those systems were being deployed around nuclear plants.
The NRC also said it had increased security around its headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, and its four regional offices.
